2014 True West Railfest

2014 True West Railfest

August 14-17, 2014

“Gold Diggers and Dance Halls”

The D&SNG will again partner with True West Magazine to bring you the 2014 True West Railfest celebration of railroading and the western lifestyle.

This year’s theme, “Gold Diggers and Dance Halls” incorporates two mainstays in the early years of Durango. After digging gold, silver and other ores out of the rugged San Juan Mountains for weeks and months at a time, the dance halls provided a welcome respite from the grueling and dangerous work. Although the big mines have shut down, the agricultural lifestyle is still strong in this area. Cattle, sheep and llama ranches abound. Cattle and sheep drives still exist and delay motorists as the stock are relocated to the cooler high-elevation mountains for the summer and back again before the snow flies. The cowboys and sheep herders show off their many skills at rodeos, poetry gatherings, chuck wagon cook-offs and do plenty of boasting in the dance halls!

Come join us in our celebration of railroads, mining and agriculture!

New for 2014! Photographer's Work Train on Friday August 15th! Choose to ride in standard passenger coach or an authentic 1880s caboose! You'll have opportunities to watch and photograph the Maintenance of Way crew demonstrate some of the work they perform to keep the trains running daily.

Click on each date for detailed information on all the special Railfest excursions and events!Regular passenger excursions depart Durango every morning at 8:45 and 9:30.

Click here for all events on Thu. Aug 14: 7:30AM: Galloping Goose 5 excursion Durango to Silverton 8:45AM: Double Header! The passenger train to Silverton will be pulled by TWO locomotives! A rare opportunity to get some great photos!6:00PM: Opening Reception8:00PM: FREE movie "Night Passage"